Josh Maja’s Sunderland future is still in doubt having so far failed to agree to a new deal having been offered one by Jack Ross.

The 20-year-old, who has been linked intensely with Scottish champions Celtic, has rejected a deal to commit his future to the Stadium of Light club.

Jack Ross had given an update on the future of the 15-goal striker saying there has been no concrete offers from any clubs regarding Maja.

The Sunderland boss even went as far to say the forward could be sold and loaned back for the rest of the campaign should any deal come to fruition.

The Black Cats are currently third in League One, one point behind second-placed Luton, with a game in hand.

If Maja was to go, then there could well be a void open up at the third-tier club.

And if he were to indeed leave, there are positives to any potential departure.

With that said, here are TWO silver linings Sunderland fans should consider if Maja departs this month

A significant financial boost

For the age, potential and current talent of the striker, Maja could well command a significant fee upon any sale that may or may not happen.

With that money coming into the club, it could give them a massive boost off the pitch to compensate for their demise from the Premier League.

Anything upward of £5million or so could be a reasonable fee for the striker, and that could have a lasting positive impact on the club in the long-run should he leave.

At the very least there would be a sell-on clause in the deal which could net the club even more money in the future.

Be able to afford proven goalscorer

And with that money, Sunderland could use it to replace Maja for an experienced, guaranteed goalscorer.

Will Grigg has been linked and has been supremely influential in League One with Wigan last year, and could well be for Sunderland, too.

Selling Maja who has a big future in the game, for a large fee could see Ross spend a fraction of the money on the striker for the rest of the year and beyond.

Losing Maja would be a blow but if he is replaced with a striker with the quality of Grigg, then it would soften the blow somewhat.